Firestop collar

ABSTRACT

A firestop collar (10) for sealing of openings, especially of line penetrations (12), that pass through walls (11) or ceilings, has a frame (16) and a block (20) of optionally intumescent material disposed therein, and is characterized in that the frame (16) is of modular construction.

The invention relates to a firestop collar for sealing of openings,especially of line penetrations, that pass through walls or ceilings,with a frame and a block of optionally intumescent material disposedtherein.

Firestop collars, which are capable of sealing line penetrations ofnon-fire-resistant pipes or cables in ceilings or walls in the event offire, in order to prevent the spread of fire and smoke in buildings, areknown in the most diverse configurations. The firestop collars usuallycontain an intumescent material, which is disposed around the lines, anda frame of sheet metal, which jackets the intumescent material andserves to fasten the intumescent material to walls or ceilings. Thefirestop collars are usually attached around the penetrating linesupstream from the openings, since mounting is simpler there.

As an example, DE 10 2011 089 531 A1 discloses a firestop collar of thetype mentioned in the introduction, consisting of a block of intumescentmaterial and a frame surrounding this.

EP 2 455 135 A2 teaches a fire-protection element which, in addition tothe intumescent material, has a reinforcing inner lining, whichstabilizes the ash layer formed in the event of fire.

A disadvantage of the known firestop collars is that they are suitableonly for certain opening cross sections. This leads to the situationthat either a finite number of standard sizes must be used, which sizesare frequently not optimally configured, or that an individuallyconfigured firestop collar must be specially made for each opening.

The object of the invention is to provide a firestop collar that can beadapted easily to opening cross sections of various sizes.

To solve this object, it is provided, in a firestop collar of the typementioned in the introduction, that the frame is of modularconstruction.

A frame of modular construction in the firestop collar means inparticular that this is constructed from a few common parts and can beconfigured in diverse ways. This has the advantage that the frame can beadapted individually in place to the opening cross section and thatefficient use of material is possible. In particular, the configurationof the simplest embodiment of the firestop collar in the form of asquare base element, for example with a size of 200×200 mm, leads tooptimum modularity. In addition, a reduction of the parts from which theframe is constructed to a few modular common parts offers furtheradvantages beyond this from the logistical and economic perspective.

The frame of the firestop collar may have several frame parts, which arejoined to one another by means of plug-type connectors. As an examplefor this purpose, slot-like openings in the surface as well as withprotruding brackets at the edges of the metal sheets may be provided.This construction permits compact transportation of the frame when it isdismantled to the frame parts, as well as simple and rapid mounting bymeans of the plug-type connectors.

Preferably, each frame part of the firestop collar is equipped with afront part. These front parts are made in one piece with the frame partsand engage on the block of optionally intumescent material on its sidefacing away from the wall or ceiling. This configuration of the frameensures that the block of optionally intumescent material is securelyfastened and in the event of fire expands directionally, in order tobring its fire-protection properties optimally into effect.

In a preferred embodiment, the front parts are constructed separatelyfrom the frame parts and can be joined therewith by means of plug-typeconnectors. By means of this configuration, it is possible to configurethe frames individually as well as to dismantle and thus transport themin even more compact form.

Advantageously, one of the front parts is joined to two frame parts. Inthis way, the front parts may be used additionally for joining the frameparts to one another, thus obviating the need for additional fasteningelements.

In a preferred embodiment, the front part extends along a side rim ofthe frame. This configuration permits optimum seating of the block ofoptionally intumescent material and increases the stability of theframe.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the front part extends as astraight part. Hereby the front part can be fabricated more simply andinexpensively and can be stored and transported in more compact form.

Preferably, the frame of the firestop collar is formed from onecontinuous strip, which is cut to the desired length and the end ofwhich is joined to its beginning. In this way, the frame can be adaptedindividually to various opening cross sections.

The frame of the firestop collar preferably consists of sheet metal.This material has high strength in combination with light weight, can beeasily processed and is inexpensive.

The firestop collar is preferably fastened by means of a plurality offastening brackets on its frame parts. These permit secure fastening ofthe firestop collar to walls and ceilings and, for example, they can bejoined to the frame parts via plug-type means. For fastening, thefirestop collar may be placed directly on the wall. An additional frameis not necessary, nor is double framing. It is also possible to mountthe firestop collar directly over an already present firewall, so thatit acts as a repair wall.

The height of the block of optionally intumescent material is preferablyslightly greater than the height of the frame parts. Hereby the firestopcollar has a projecting length of intumescent material on the wall side,and so this is pressed with preload against the surface of the wall orceiling during mounting. Preferably, this projecting length is 2 mm to 6mm, which leads to an optimum contact pressure effect to ensureimperviousness toward smoke gas.

In a preferred embodiment, an intumescent inner lining is disposedbetween the frame and the block of optionally intumescent material. Inthe event of fire, the heat causes the intumescent inner lining to beactivated and to expand. Preferably the block consists of intumescentmaterial, so that, by using, for the intumescent inner lining and theblock of intumescent material, various intumescent materials withdifferent properties, for example with respect to activation temperatureand expansion behavior, the pressure variations can be adapted in such away over the duration of the fire that the stability of the resultingash crust of the intumescent block is improved. These features make itpossible to cover much larger opening cross sections with this firestopcollar, without causing the stability problems known from the prior artto occur.

In one embodiment, the block consists of a foamable material. Herebysound absorption is also ensured in addition to imperviousness to smokegas. In one preferred embodiment, the block consists of a foamablebinding agent, which contains at least one ash-forming and optionallyintumescent substance mixture. This binding agent acts as acomposite-forming carrier for the ash-forming and optionally intumescentsubstance mixture. Preferably, the substance mixture is distributedhomogeneously in the binding agent. The composite-forming carrier ispreferably chosen from the group consisting of polyurethanes, phenolresins, polystyrenes, polyolefins such as polyethylene and/orpolybutylene, melamine resins, melamine resin foams, synthetic ornatural rubber, cellulose, elastomers and mixtures thereof, whereinpolyurethanes are preferred.

The ash-forming and optionally intumescent substance mixture comprisesthe fire-protection additives that are common and known to the personskilled in the art and that foam up in the event of fire, i.e. under theeffect of heat, and while doing so form a foam, such as an intumescentmaterial on the basis of an acid-forming agent, a carbon-producingcompound and a blowing agent, that prevents the spread of flames.Preferably the intumescent material comprises, as acid-forming agent, asalt or an ester of an inorganic, nonvolatile acid chosen from amongsulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and boric acid, as carbon-producingcompound, a polyhydroxy compound and/or a thermoplastic or thermosettingpolymeric resin binding agent, and, as blowing agent, a chloroparaffin,melamine, a melamine compound, especially melamine cyanurate, melaminephosphate, melamine polyphosphate, tris(hydroxyethyl)cyanurate,cyanamide, dicyanamide, dicyandiamide, biguanidine and/or a guanidinesalt, especially guanidine phosphate or guanidine sulfate.

The composite-forming carrier may further contain, as ablative additive,an inorganic compound, which has incorporated water strongly, e.g. aswater of crystallization, and does not dry out at temperatures up to100° C. but releases the water starting at 120° C. in the event of fireand thereby is able to cool temperature-conducting parts, wherein thesaid compound is preferably an inorganic hydroxide or hydrate,especially aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide hydrates or partlyhydrated aluminum hydroxides, which release water at fire temperature orwhen exposed to flames. Other inorganic hydroxides or hydrates thatrelease water when exposed to flames may also be considered, however,such as are described in EP 0 274 068 A2.

Such compounds, which may be used as the substance mixture in theinventive fire-protection inner lining, are known to the person skilledin the art and, for example, are disclosed in the followingpublications, to which reference is expressly made herewith: DE 30 25309 A1, DE 30 41 731 A1, DE 33 02 416 A1, DE 34 11 327 A1, EP 0 043 952B1, EP 0 051 106 B1, EP 0 061 024 B1, EP 0 116 846 B1, EP 0 158 165 B1,EP 0 274 068 A2, EP 1 347 549 A1, EP 1 641 895 B1 and DE 196 53 503 A1.

The molded block is produced by foam molding, such as reaction injectionmolding (RIM) with foam, corresponding to DE 3917518, e.g. with Fomox®fire-protection foam or with HILTI CP 65GN, a construction material thatforms an insulating layer. Materials that can be used for inventivepurposes are known from EP 0061024 A1, EP 0051106 A1, EP 0043952 A1, EP0158165 A1, EP 0116846 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,396,129 A as well as EP1347549 A1. Preferably, the molded block consists of anintumescent-capable polyurethane foam, such as is known from EP 0061024A1, DE 3025309 A1, DE 3041731 A1, DE 3302416 A and DE 3411 327 A1.

The block of optionally intumescent material is preferably provided witha reinforcing inner lining. This reinforcing inner lining serves forstabilization of the intumescent crust formed in the event of fire, andit helps to prevent parts of this from falling out of the firestopcollar. For this purpose, it is advantageous to position the reinforcinginner lining in the surface of the block of optionally intumescentmaterial, in order to stabilize the outer faces.

The reinforcing inner lining is preferably formed by a mat, a mesh or afabric. Such a construction offers good penetration of the block ofoptionally intumescent material, and the reinforcing inner liningretains its stabilizing properties even if structural damage issporadically present.

In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing inner lining consists of atemperature-resistant material, for example metal, glass fibers, basaltfibers, carbon fibers or ceramic fibers. A hybrid structure comprisingseveral materials in the reinforcing inner lining is also possible. Thehigher temperature resistance compared with the optionally intumescentmaterial is advantageous since, in the case in which the block consistsof intumescent material, the reinforcing inner lining is not impaired bythe temperature that activates the intumescent layer and so is able toexert its stabilizing function in this way.

In a further preferred embodiment, the reinforcing inner lining consistsof expanded metal. This is advantageous with respect to the stabilizingeffect.

In a preferred embodiment, the block of optionally intumescent materialof the firestop collar is a molded part and is inserted in one or morepieces into the frame and is built-in together therewith. The moldedparts may have any desired shape, but are preferably regular polyhedra,for example cuboids. This has the advantage that the number of blocksused for the firestop collar can be matched easily to the opening to besealed. The reduction of the molded parts to a few modular common partsoffers further advantages beyond this from the logistical and economicperspective.

In an alternative embodiment, the firestop collar is formed by firstmounting the frame and then introducing the block of optionallyintumescent material by means of a foam material with intumescentproperties. The advantage of this approach is that only the foammaterial instead of molded parts has to be kept in readiness, and anindividually adapted block of optionally intumescent material isobtained automatically by foaming the frame in place.

Further advantages and features will become obvious from the descriptionhereinafter in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of the inventivefirestop collar, which has been attached upstream from a linepenetration,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a modularfirestop collar with front parts constructed separately from the frameparts,

FIG. 3a shows, in a top view in the direction of the face bearing on thewall, a firestop collar with a frame of modular construction accordingto a third embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3b shows a first side view,

FIG. 3c shows a second side view, and

FIG. 3d shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of theinventive firestop collar.

FIG. 1 shows a firestop collar 10, which is attached at an opening, e.g.in a wall 11, upstream from a line penetration 12 of a line 14. Thefirestop collar contains a frame 16, a block 20 of optionallyintumescent material located therein and an intumescent inner lining 22disposed therebetween.

Frame 16 is joined to wall 11 via fastening brackets 26.

As an example, line 14 is a water pipe of plastic or contains one ormore cables.

Frame 16, which may consist of sheet metal, comprises a plurality offrame parts 17, wherein each frame part 17 is equipped respectively witha perpendicularly extending front part 19. Front parts 19 engage onblock (20) of optionally intumescent material on its side facing awayfrom the wall, and here are constructed in one piece with frame parts17. On the side facing away from block 20, a plurality of fasteningbrackets 26 is provided on these frame parts 17.

Block 20 has a reinforcing inner lining 24, which preferably isintegrated into the outer surface of block 20. This reinforcing innerlining 24 may be formed by a mat, a mesh or a fabric, and it preferablyconsists of a particularly temperature-resistant material, such asmetal, glass fibers, basalt fibers, carbon fibers, ceramic fibers or ahybrid material, for example. Alternatively, expanded metal may be usedfor reinforcing inner lining 24.

Block 20 may be provided as a molded part, for example in the form of acuboid. In this case, block 20 is preferably slightly larger on thesides than frame 16 surrounding it, in order to guarantee secure seatingof block 20 in frame 16. In addition, in an advantageous embodiment,block 20 is higher than frame parts 17, especially 2 to 6 mm, and, byvirtue of this projecting length toward the wall side, it may be mountedin such a way on wall 11 that the optionally intumescent material ispressed with preload against the surface.

Alternatively, block 20 may also be formed by a foam material introducedinto frame 16. For this purpose, frame 16 including intumescent innerlining 22 is first fastened upstream from line penetration 12 and thenthe space surrounded by frame 16 is filled by injection molding with anoptionally intumescent material. Depending on configuration, reinforcinginner lining 24 may be introduced at various points in time.

Intumescent inner lining 22 is fixed between frame 16 and block 20 andextends along frame parts 17 and the respective front parts 19.

By means of fasteners 28, firestop collar 10 can be fastened to wall 11via fastening brackets 26 pinned onto frame parts 17. For example, bythe fact that screws are used as fasteners 28, the preload of firestopcollar 10 can be adjusted by tightening these.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a firestop collar 10 with square base faceand modular frame 16. Frame 16 surrounding block 20 of optionallyintumescent material consists of a plurality of frame parts 17 as wellas separate front parts 19, which are joined to frame 16 by means ofplug-type connectors 18. In particular, one front part 19 joins twoframe parts 17 with one another.

Front parts 19 are straight and extend along one side rim of frame 16.In this way they brace block 20 of optionally intumescent material onits side facing away from wall 11 or the ceiling and at the same timeserve as connecting members between frame parts 17.

Via fastening brackets 26, frame parts 17 are mutually joinedadditionally to one another by means of plug-type connectors 18.Preferably, frame parts 17 consist of straight sheet-metal pieces, whichcan be bent at right angles at a predetermined bending point and thusmay be optionally used as corner pieces or as straight frame part 17 forframe 16.

Alternatively, however, it is also possible to construct frame 16 fromstraight frame parts 17 and to be able to bend front parts 16 and/orfastening brackets 26 into corner pieces or to configure them as cornerpieces.

In the embodiment shown, firestop collar 10 consists of a square block20 of optionally intumescent material as well as a frame 16 ofrespectively four identical frame parts 17, front parts 19 and fasteningbrackets 26.

On the basis of the modular structure, firestop collar 10 can beconfigured in diverse ways and adapted to various opening crosssections. Thus it is possible, for example, to imagine an embodiment(not illustrated) with two or three blocks 20 of optionally intumescentmaterial and a corresponding number of respectively six or eight frameparts 17, front parts 19 and fastening brackets 26, wherein blocks 20 ofoptionally intumescent material 20 are not provided on their mutuallyadjoining sides with a frame 16 in this case but instead frame 16 joinsblocks 20 of optionally intumescent material with straight frame parts17 and thus completely encircles them.

FIGS. 3a to 3d show a further embodiment of a firestop collar 10 withmodular frame 16 in various views. Frame 16 consists of a plurality offrame parts 17, which are joined to one another by plug-type connectors18.

In the illustrated variant, firestop collar 10 consists of threerectangular blocks 20 of optionally intumescent material and one frame16 of two L-shaped frame parts 17. These L-shaped frame parts 17 mayalso be straight strips, which in particular were bent in place at rightangles, in order to form a frame 16 adapted to the opening crosssection.

In one embodiment (not illustrated), frame 16 is formed from onecontinuous strip, which is cut to the desired length and joined at itsends.

In particular, firestop collar 10 is dimensioned such thatfire-resistance class El 120 is achieved even for walls with a thicknessof 100 mm.

In the marketplace, moreover, it is possible to offer firestop collar 10not only as a complete set but also as individual parts thereof. Inparticular, frame 16 and block 20 of optionally intumescent material maybe sold individually.

1-15: (canceled) 16: A firestop apparatus, comprising: an intumescentmaterial: and a modular frame comprising a plurality of frame parts,wherein the modular frame has an interior space which comprises theintumescent material, wherein the plurality of frame parts of themodular frame are removably coupled to one another, and wherein theintumescent material comprises an opening to receive a line, pipe, orother object passing through the modular frame. 17: The apparatus ofclaim 16, further comprising: a front part extending from at least oneof the plurality of frame parts, wherein the front part extends in adirection crossing a direction in which the at least one of theplurality of frame parts extends. 18: The apparatus of claim 16, furthercomprising: a plurality of front parts extending from respective ones ofthe plurality of frame parts, wherein each of the plurality of frontpart extends in a direction crossing a direction in which acorresponding one of the plurality of frame parts extend. 19: Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the modular frame has an opening alignedwith the opening in the intumescent material. 20: The apparatus of claim16, wherein the plurality of frame parts have a same size. 21: Theapparatus of claim 16 wherein the intumescent material is a foamintumescent material. 22: The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:at least one fastener to fasten the modular frame to a surfacecomprising an opening through which the line, pipe, or other objectpasses. 23: The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a connectorto connect adjacent parts of e of frame 24: The apparatus of claim 23,wherein the connector overlap where edges of the adjacent ones of theplurality of frame parts are located. 25: The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the at least one fastener comprises a hole for a screw.